- Youth
Step Out of the Frame: Social Media and Our Mental Health
Although teens can benefit in many ways from using social media, studies have shown that social media use is linked to anxiety, depression and lowered self-esteem among teens. This brief animated video gives youth-serving providers a platform to initiate conversations with youth about healthy and unhealthy social media use. It is narrated by three teens who talk candidly about their experiences on social media. The video discusses the benefits and pitfalls of social media use and covers topics such as social comparison, fear of missing out (FOMO), effortless perfection, and uncontrolled use of social media – behaviors known to affect youth mental health. After showing the video to your students, use the accompanying discussion guide to spark conversations about how youth can use social media in a healthy way.